Nektar Impact GXP88 Review: 88 Keys, No Pads, No Faders

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Nektar Impact GXP88 is an 88 key USB MIDI controller built around a single, clear purpose, giving a player a full size, semi weighted keybed with aftertouch and solid DAW integration. The listing does not describe pads, knobs or faders anywhere, which marks a clear difference from many hybrid controllers covered in this profile.

Instead, the feature list focuses on playing feel and connectivity, with pitch bend and modulation wheels, octave and transpose buttons, and both sustain and expression pedal sockets rounding out the physical control options. A 5 pin MIDI output is also included for direct hardware synth connections.

On the software side, Nektar DAW integration and Nektarine Plug-In Control are named directly, alongside a bundle that includes Cubase LE and the Retrologue 2 virtual instrument. This review covers each of these claims as stated, while being clear about what the listing simply does not address.

Keys, Pads and Feel

The keybed spans the full 88 keys, described in the listing as premium, piano style and semi weighted, with aftertouch included across the range. That combination targets players who want a complete keyboard span for both classical style practice and modern production work.

Aftertouch specifically allows continued pressure on a held key to control an additional parameter, which is a meaningful expressive feature on a controller at this tier. The listing does not specify whether the aftertouch is channel wide or polyphonic per key, so that exact behavior remains unconfirmed.

There are no pads described anywhere in the listing, which means this controller offers nothing for finger drumming or clip launching style work. Anyone shopping this profile specifically for pads alongside a keybed should look elsewhere, since the Impact GXP88 keeps its focus entirely on the keys.

Knobs, Faders and DAW Integration

No knobs or faders are mentioned in the listing for the Nektar Impact GXP88, which keeps the physical control surface limited to pitch bend and modulation wheels plus octave and transpose buttons. Players who want tactile mixing control will not find it on this particular unit.

DAW integration is described through Nektar's own system, stated to support most popular DAWs, alongside Nektarine Plug-In Control for managing instruments and effects. The listing does not name specific DAW titles covered by this integration, so players with a particular DAW in mind should verify compatibility directly.

General MIDI compatibility is also stated, with the listing describing the controller as compatible with all MIDI music software applications on both Mac and PC. That broad compatibility claim suggests the keybed itself will function as a basic MIDI input device even where deeper Nektar specific integration is not available.

Software, Sounds and Features

The bundled software here centers on Cubase LE, giving a new user a working DAW without a separate purchase, alongside the Retrologue 2 virtual instrument for synth sounds. A sound content package is also mentioned, though the listing does not break down exactly what that package contains.

Nektarine Plug-In Control adds a layer of instrument and effects management on top of the raw MIDI connection, according to the listing. The exact scope of that control, such as which parameters are mapped automatically, is not detailed further.

Compared to some other controllers in this profile that bundle multiple DAWs or large sample libraries, the Impact GXP88 software package is more modest. It centers mainly on Cubase LE and one virtual instrument rather than a sprawling collection of titles.

• Cubase LE DAW
• Retrologue 2 virtual instrument
• Sound content package
• Nektar DAW integration
• Nektarine Plug-In Control

Build, Design and Portability

Build details are not published for the Nektar Impact GXP88 beyond the general description of the keybed as premium and piano style. No chassis material, dimensions or weight figure accompanies the listing.

With 88 full size keys and no additional pad or fader section, the overall footprint is likely determined almost entirely by the keybed length itself rather than extra control hardware. That typically makes an 88 key only controller somewhat more manageable to transport than an equivalent keybed loaded with pads and faders, though this is a general inference rather than a stated specification.

Octave and transpose buttons are confirmed in the listing, giving a player range extension without needing the full 88 keys physically present for every part. Beyond that, build specific detail is limited, and the listing offers no finish or color options for buyers to compare.

Connectivity and Power

Connectivity is reasonably complete for a keys only controller. The listing confirms a 5 pin MIDI output for hardware synth connections, plus both sustain and expression pedal sockets for expressive playing, and Mac and PC compatibility implying standard USB connectivity.

No CV, gate or multiple expression pedal inputs beyond the single socket mentioned are described, which keeps this controller's connectivity more conventional than some modular synth focused units in this profile. For most studio or live keyboard setups, though, the included connectivity should cover common needs.

Power requirements are not published in the listing, so whether the Impact GXP88 draws power entirely from USB or needs an additional supply is not confirmed here. Buyers with specific power planning needs, such as running it from a mixer or audio interface hub, should verify this before purchase.

Setup and Daily Use

Daily use would center entirely on the keybed, moving between melodic and chordal playing while using the pitch bend and modulation wheels for expression. Octave and transpose buttons would come into play when a part needs to shift beyond the physical 88 key range or into a different key center quickly.

Sustain and expression pedal use would likely be common for players coming from a piano background, since both are explicitly supported through dedicated sockets. Nektarine Plug-In Control would run in the background for managing instrument and effect parameters where supported.

Because there are no pads, knobs or faders, daily use stays focused and simple compared to busier hybrid controllers in this profile. Players who want that simplicity, rather than a sprawling control surface, may find this an easier unit to learn quickly.

Who Should Buy It

The clearest buyer is a keyboard player who wants a genuine 88 key range with semi weighted feel and aftertouch, without caring about pads or faders at all. Pianists moving into MIDI production for the first time, who want sustain and expression pedal support familiar from acoustic playing, are a strong fit as well.

Producers who specifically value Nektar DAW integration and Nektarine Plug-In Control for instrument and effects management will also find a reasonable case here, provided their DAW is covered by that general most popular DAWs claim. Anyone content with Cubase LE and Retrologue 2 as a starting software bundle adds a secondary reason to consider it.

Beat makers and anyone wanting tactile mixing control through knobs or faders should look elsewhere. None of that hardware exists on the Impact GXP88 based on the listing, so a separate control surface would be needed alongside it.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Players who want an 88 key controller but with added pads for beat making should compare this against hybrid keyboard and pad controllers elsewhere in this profile. Those units combine a full keybed with a dedicated pad section for rhythmic work, trading some simplicity for extra functionality.

Producers who want dedicated knobs and faders for mixing alongside a full keybed should look at a controller that explicitly lists that hardware. The Impact GXP88 keeps its control surface limited to the keys, wheels and buttons described here, with nothing beyond that.

Anyone who wants confirmed support for a specific named DAW rather than a general most popular DAWs claim should verify compatibility directly with the manufacturer. Assuming the same level of integration described for other platforms without checking first could lead to disappointment.

Verdict

The Nektar Impact GXP88 is a focused 88 key controller, offering a semi weighted, aftertouch enabled keybed, both sustain and expression pedal sockets, and a 5 pin MIDI output for hardware synth connections. Nektar DAW integration and Nektarine Plug-In Control add genuine software ties, and Cubase LE plus Retrologue 2 give a new user a working production start.

What it does not offer is any pads, knobs or faders, so players wanting beat making or tactile mixing control will need a separate device for that. For a player who wants a serious full size keybed without extra control hardware adding bulk, this is a straightforward, well targeted choice.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Yamaha Montage M6 61-Key

Professional synth players and producers who want a flagship 61-key instrument with massive polyphony, analog style synthesis and a matching software plugin.

Read the Yamaha Montage M6 61-Key review →

Roland JD-XA 49-Key

Synthesists who want genuine discrete analog voices and a digital engine in one 49-key crossover instrument with deep real time filter control.

Read the Roland JD-XA 49-Key review →

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 4-Channel

Mobile and open-format DJs who want a 4-channel club style controller with live stem separation and lighting control from one unit.

Read the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 4-Channel review →

Questions Buyers Ask